Jon & Kate Plus 8, A Farce, Child Exploitation?

We do not tend to talk to much about reality TV since I for one do not really enjoy it but I have an honest confession. I am a closet watcher of Jon and Kate Plus 8. I enjoy the show immensely and the recent rumors of Jon Gosselin having an affair quite frankly kicked me firmly in the groin. That said it is NONE of our business and as much as it bothered me I dont see why everyone keeps talking about it.

I was shocked, but then they are real people with real problems just like you and me. I have found the intense coverage of the whole deal quite disturbing since so often we forget that its a real family, with real feelings and have up until now felt the worst for Kate who I always thought meant well but thanks to reality TV editing comes off as the 'evil mommy'. I have a family member just like Kate who is very protective, and can be seen as neurotic but at the end of the day has her familys best interests in mind. It is probably why I relate to the show and enjoy it so much. Of course besides the obvious enjoying watching the kids grow up and do the various things that kids do.

I always enjoyed the banter between Kate and Jon and watching them struggle to raise their kids and the recent rumors about affairs and other nonsense frankly got my hair up. As much as its none of our business. I started out thinking its not possible, ended up realizing it may be true once photos and videos were released by various people to US Magazine and other sources. But yesterday was the real kicker when RadarOnline posted a video interview with Kate Gosselins brother and sister in law where they do not confirm the affair but they do confirm the show is a sham.

The say in their interview that Kate presented Jon with a contract stating he can have girlfriends and do his own thing but MUST be around for his obligations.. not to his family.. not to his children... to the show. He can do his thing but must make himself available for the show to film. Frankly if it was not her own Brother saying this in the video interview I would be doubtful but because its her own family it shocks me. Up until now I figured all of the talk and nonsense was just people trying to capitalize on the shows popularity which happens all to often but when actual family members go on the record it starts to smell an awful lot like truth

As a father I found the entire interview by Kates Brother and Sister In Law revolting, because of what got said. From the interview the two family members imply that the show is a sham to line the pockets of its parents? I do not know what is worse, that or the fact that the children have to go to school and have their friends talk about this and cause them all kinds of pain and discomfort. Just writing this I am feeling worse and worse for the children if any of this ends up to be true.

The video interview concludes with the implication that the children are being exploited for the benefit of the parents financial gain and they ask the government or 'powers to be' to step in to stop it. I want to know... what are your thoughts? As an avid watcher I am quite shocked by this whole ordeal and frankly will have a hard time tuning in ever again if TLC does not make them come clean and clear the air... good or bad... so fans of the show know what is real... and what is not. More importantly that we as fans can know its actually a family, and not a sham where the kids are playing monkey in the middle.. or money in the middle.

At the end of the day we all make our mistakes and Jon and Kate just happen to have their lives aired on TV. I hope that this all ends up to be a bunch of B.S. and that they are in fact just as we thought, a couple like the rest of us just struggling to get by with a family a little larger then you and I might have. Although you have to admit they are far from struggling now that it is a hit show and a merchandising empire. Kind of gives some credibility to the interview Kate Gosselins Brother did doesnt it?